Tuesday: Real Repentance
Daily Lesson for Tuesday 2nd of June 2026
The secular world bombards us with messages of independence, indulgence, and self-promotion—the opposite of the principles of God’s kingdom. Interestingly, the first words recorded in the Bible by John the Baptist and Jesus were similar. John said, “ ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!’ ” (Matthew 3:1-2, NKJV). Jesus said, “ ‘The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent, and believe in the gospel’ ” (Mark 1:14-15, NKJV; see also Luke 24:46-47). Both Jesus and John called those listening to repentance because the kingdom of heaven was near. Could it be that this same message is equally as relevant to us today?
Read Acts 3:18-19. Why is repentance so important in the process of spiritual growth? What is a time of “refreshing”?
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The kindness and goodness of God leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Repentance involves two steps: (1) sincere pain and sorrow for our sins; and (2) the honest decision to abandon sin. In the Bible, repentance is almost always connected to forgiveness. We genuinely repent; God forgives. It’s that simple (1 John 1:9, Revelation 3:19). “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9, NKJV). As we personally prepare our souls for the Second Coming, God is giving us time to make things right with Him.
Jesus suffered, died, and rose so that when we repent, His grace can work a miracle in our lives. Contrary to the world, which tells us we are fine just the way we are, God asks that we turn to Him in repentance and faith (Acts 20:21), placing ourselves fully in His hands so that He can prune and beautifully shape our characters into His likeness, to testify of Him (John 15:2,8). We then grow and produce fruit in keeping with repentance (Matthew 3:8).
“No repentance is genuine that does not work reformation. The righteousness of Christ is not a cloak to cover unconfessed and unforsaken sin; it is a principle of life that transforms the character and controls the conduct.”—Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, Pages 555, 556.
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Repentance leads to life (Acts 11:18) and is a vital part of growing in a relationship with God. In the process of surrender, repentance, and allowing God to prune you, what step is most challenging for you? |
God’s light blinded Saul, but within the darkness of his blindness, Saul saw the light that reveals, converts, and transforms. This statement is a paradoxical oxymoron, we could say, but in this chaotic depth, his change is, to us today, one of the best examples of repentance.
From to Saul’s change seems instant, but within this was contemplation, realization, acceptance, quick decision, and redirection. Even though Saul was to remain in darkness for up to three days, at that very moment, he had made his choice known. He had moved from chief persecutor of the followers of Jesus to chief servant of Jesus Christ.
This about-turn in character, service, and action begins the process of real repentance—the heart acknowledges a loss of direction, a need for God, a need for correction, and forgiveness is given, and a change is manifested.
I guess we need to re-examine our lives prayerfully. This blinding light that makes us see is what we need today.
True repentance does not involve joyless wallowing in sorrow. Rather, it is a process that begins with grief and godly guilt and ends with forgiveness and deep joy. In the words of Thomas Watson, “Till sin be bitter, Christ will not be sweet.” At the heart of repentance is a change of mind that leads to a change of heart, resulting in a change of actions. Repentance is more than a one-time event, it is an ongoing practice in the life of a believer. Many of us have thought that repentance is only for unbelievers seeking salvation, but Scripture also calls Christians to repentance whenever they drift into disobedience or sinful selfishness. Repentance provides an opportunity to restore and strengthen our relationship with God.
Every sin demands nothing less than the blood of Jesus if reconciliation is to take place. Therefore, we must deal with our sinfulness through immediate confession and repentance whenever the Holy Spirit brings any wrongdoing to our attention. No sin is too great or too small to repent of. We can repent with confidence, knowing that through Christ no sin can ultimately separate us from God when it is confessed and forsaken. As Titus 2:14 reminds us, Christ “gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good.
It is in repentance that we fully acknowledge the weight of our sins; it is in repentance that we realise the staggering cost that held Christ on the cross; and it is in repentance that we face, without excuse or evasion, the depths of our guilt before a holy God. As David prays in Psalm 51:8 and 12, “Let the bones you have crushed rejoice… restore to me the joy of your salvation.” Repentance is not easy, but when done in sincerity, God forgives, relieves, opens our eyes, and fills our hearts with deep joy. What a privilege it is, through Christ, to be able to confess and immediately have our burdens lifted. As Proverbs 28:13, says “Whoever conceals his transgressions will not prosper, but he who confesses and forsakes them will obtain mercy.”
The practicality of real repentance, forgiveness, and surrender to God.
Repentance is abandoning sin. It may be cherished, public, or private. An effort to stop is necessary, maybe that effort is surrendering, turning in prayer with your problem to Christ. Recognition of the hurt of self, and the hurt of Christ is the 1st step. Then allowing yourself to be drawn to the foot of the Cross of Christ, avoiding the shunning of the Holy Spirit. A surrender to the prompting, gives you the strength to overcome sin whatever it maybe, then spend time in God’s word which strengthens your resolve to overcome and stick with the abandonment of sin. The Holy Spirit gives you a contrite spirit if you don’t turn a deaf mind. Then past sins become rubbish. Philippians 3:8. Don’t shun discipline or despise it. Hebrews 12:11, we need all the help we can get. The Holy Spirit gives you the power and strength 2 Timothy 1:7 to forget the past and press forward toward to the goal of sanctification, Philippians 3:13, the process of a lifetime. You have released sin, good for you. Don’t look at others and judge them saying to yourself thank God, I no longer do that. The judging spirit is a sin also. Luke 6:37. You will rather send up a silent prayer in behalf of others, that God will help them overcome, being attentive to their needs of encouragement in a gentle way of this matter. 1Peter 3:15. The Holy Spirit may prompt you to make a public affirmation or reaffirmation. John 3:5. Titus 3:5,6,7,8,9. 🙏 God bless you whomever or wherever you are in your growth in Christ. And press on toward the goal of the prize to the upward calling of God in Jesus Christ. Hold true to what you have attained. Philippians 3:14,16.
The simplicity of this process is to walk, talk, and breath the Christian life, a testimony of your love for God. Not forgetting to hush the rush of life, and again listening to and doing the prompting of the Holy Spirit. James 1:22,23,24,25. Harsh, legalistic? No, practical!
“For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.” (2 Corinthians 7:10, NKJV).
Repentance is not a desire to escape punishment for the wrong/sin committed. True/real repentance is not regret, shame, or fear of consequences, but sorrow for the sin itself and turning away from sin (Ezekiel 18:30–32). It is turning toward God (Acts 3:19) and leading a changed life that produces good fruit (Matthew 3:8). Repentance is not an emotional feeling for the wrong committed, but a change in heart, mind and change of direction.
The Bible gives us two examples of real repentance and worldly repentance. Judas Iscariot, the disciple who betrayed Jesus, was sorrowful for what he had done, but his remorse did not lead to genuine repentance. On the other hand, Simon Peter, another disciple, sinned grievously by denying Christ (Luke 22:54–62), but his sorrow led to real repentance and restoration. Both disciples were sorrowful, but only one whose sorrow led to repentance and restoration.
It is important to note that repentance is a gift from God and not a human achievement. Like all gifts, repentance must be accepted for it to lead to forgiveness. It must be underscored that repentance is the only means by which we can receive the grace of God. If we refuse to repent, then we deny Christ an opportunity to save us. Repentance is not an option, but an imperative.
“Not at all! And you will perish, too, unless you repent of your sins and turn to God.” (Luke 13:3, NLT).
Repentance for me is most important, because our time is limited on earth, as I struggle daily with sin and pray daily for the Holy Spirit to strengthen my spiritual growth. Whenever I remember past sins, I’ll pray for forgiveness. Even though my heart is known by our heavenly Father, He alone is our judge. A time for refreshing is now, because we’re not guaranteed the next few minutes. So if I close my eyes unexpectedly, I’ll want them to be opened in the first resurrection.
May God help us to abandon all lifestyle, all habbits and surrender to repent.
Amen
I find this in a quotation referenced a couple of days ago so encouraging:
It seems we need to begin by feeling our need. This comes from the Holy Spirit as we spend time beholding Jesus.
It is encouraging for all who may be tempted to feel hopeless after recognizing their sinful condition.
Thank you Inge for your comment, it is aligned with my trend of thought that adresses the question; how do we respond to the pruning of the Lord? When we have come to Him, and have asked, and received forgiveness; how do we move on in the challenge of living for Christ.
After all these years on this Christian journey, I figured by now I should have been pretty close to mastering this quest of living for Christ. Maybe I am not as “strong in the Lord” as I should be. At this stage of my life there are still major life changing decisions to be made; and the “ticking clock of life” is looking at me with a seriousness that is almost frightening.
Yes I have accepted Him as Lord and Saviour. Yes I have asked forgiveness for every known sin and accepted His forgiveness by faith. And now I still , even at my age, have life changing decisions to make. Decisions that can have serious consequences with my walk with Christ.
To my way of thinking Repentance and Forgiveness appears relatively simple compared to the aspect of pruning and living for Christ. My brothers and sisters in Christ I covet your prayers that by His Grace I would allow Him even at this time to fulfill His plan for my life.
Repentance. Rooted in the Greek word metanoeo (meaning “to change one’s mind”). It is viewed as turning away from sin and turning toward God. It literally means to change one’s mind, to think differently. All sin starts in the mind. We cannot entertain ourselves or feed our minds with the rubbish of the world and expect to have a close walk with Jesus.
This is where the battle is won or lost, which is why the enemy uses our senses to corrupt our nature. He was successful in the first temptation with Eve through this tactic. Humans are easy prey to Satan if we play on his playground thinking it doesn’t matter how much temptation we expose ourselves to.
Every year people fall to their death at Grand Canyon National Park because they ignore the warning signs and cross the barriers designed to protect them, just to get a closer look, or a better “selfie.” We shouldn’t see how close to the canyon we can walk without falling in. We should stay far away from the temptations that war against our soul.
Our carnal mind which is at war with God (Romans 8:7) must experience change that only the power of God can bring. Jeremiah 13:23 asks a salient, and in many ways a rhetorical question. The obvious answer is no. We cannot change our desires, passions, and lusts, ourselves. We need a power greater than ourselves to receive the victory.
It all starts with being born again. If Nicodemus, a highly respected Rabbi, a Pharisee, and a high ranking member of the Sanhedrin, needed it, we all most certainly do. We need to be born again, again and again. When we come to Christ just as we are, He works in us to change our passions and desires, our likes and dislikes. The things we used to love and enjoy we begin to hate and be repulsed by. Indeed sanctification is the work of a lifetime but it begins at that moment of surrender of control of our lives to Christ. This is where the victory is obtained or lost. The mind is the battlefield, our soul goes to the victor. We decide by our choices, our likes, and dislikes, our passions and desires, whose side we are on. Proverbs 6:27, 28 applies to every desire that wars against our soul. Do the things that break Christ’s heart break our hearts, or do we indulge our minds in them? Do we entertain ourselves with them? The battle is real and so is the victory. We must receive by faith the gift of repentance. This is born out elsewhere in Acts 5:31 and 2 Timothy 2:25. The point is this: repentance is a gift. It is something that is granted to us by God. We all need to see that when we choose to repent of our sin, either for our own salvation or for our own holiness: it is a gift given to us by God. May we cherish this gift and live lives that bear evidence of it. Jesus is worth it. Heaven is cheap enough.
Change My Heart Oh God, Maranatha Music
Indeed, like faith, repentance is a gift from God! We are incapable of genuinely repenting! Thought of two more texts: Acts 11:18; Romans 2:4. Myself? Since I daily pray and claim I John 1:9, maybe I should ask God more often for His gift of repentance!
John the Baptist and Jesus are quoted saying: “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand. Repent and believe in the Gospel’ – Matt.3:1-2; Mark 1:14. Religious leaders clinging to the Law did not want to accept the Gospel. Taking the call ‘literally’, means that the time to establishing the spiritual Kingdom of God had come, the old ways of the Law needed to be replaced by the Gospel of Grace through Faith – the New Way of Life – lived by the believer in God’s Truth and Light.
‘Repent’ – to feel regret or contrition; to change one’s mind. [Webster Dictionary]. Could it also mean to change the understanding of how ‘righteousness’ is obtained by accepting the new teaching of the ‘Gospel of Grace through faith’? Along with their call to ‘repent’ came the testimony of Jesus Christ’s walk of faith – the example of God’s Grace for our Salvation.
I think that the most serious shortcoming in our Christian life is that we do not take repentance from our old ways serious enough. We might accept to ‘tweak’ our behavior to accommodate the curiosity of ‘onlookers’, but do we truly experience a deeply felt, sincere contrition in our heart and mind leading to repentance; asking God to help us overcome?
I agree with Ellen G. White – it is the inward spiritual changes that come about when we truly accept to live by applying the new principle of Christ’s Righteousness – Salvation by Grace through Faith. Then, the Holy Spirit finds fertile soil in our heart and mind to establish the deep, spiritual roots needed to live successfully in the Kingdom of God here on earth – Luke 8:15.
Pride can block any process of learning and growing, while it is the opposite of genuine humility. Because none of us are God, we’ll never recognize limitations if we allow high self-confidence to shape our minds.